| abstract |
This invention relates to a substrate for mammalian cell culture comprising a co-polymer hydrogel comprising monomeric units of acrylamide, bisacrylamide and a coupling compound, such as 6-acylamidohexanoic acid (6AHA). A cell adhesion molecule, such as a component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), is covalently coupled to the coupling compound monomeric units of the co-polymer. The stiffness and cell adhesion molecule density of the substrate can be independently controlled by altering the concentration of acrylamide and coupling compound in the hydrogel, respectively. Substrates and methods and kits for their production are provided, along with cell culture systems and methods of culturing mammalian cells. |